Chapter 4: The Dark Alpha

LUNA'S POV**

He didn't stand when we entered the room.

That should have been my first warning. An Alpha always shows respect to a Luna, even a Luna from another pack. But this man—Kai—remained seated, his dark eyes studying me like I was a puzzle he wanted to solve.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, with black hair that fell across his forehead. His face was sharp and angular, all hard lines and dangerous edges. There was a scar that ran from his left temple down to his jaw, and it only made him look more intimidating.

"This is Luna Olivia," Sterling said, his voice carefully neutral. "Olivia, this is Alpha Kai of the Nightshade Pack."

Kai's eyes traveled down my body in a slow, deliberate assessment. I felt heat rise to my cheeks, but I refused to look away. I wouldn't show weakness.

"So, you're the rejected Luna," Kai said, his voice deep and smooth. "The one whose Alpha chose an omega over her."

Anger flared in my chest. "Is that a problem?"

"Depends." He finally stood, moving around the table with predatory grace. "Are you here because you want a second chance, or because you want revenge?"

The question caught me off guard. I had been thinking about what Sterling offered—money, power, a new life. But Kai had cut right through all of that to the real question underneath.

"Does it matter?" I asked carefully.

A smile curved his lips. It wasn't a kind smile. "It matters to me. I don't want a Luna who's broken. I want a Luna who's angry."

He stepped closer, and I had to fight the urge to step back. This man was dangerous in a way Raven never was. Raven had been a wolf pretending to be a man. But Kai was a predator pretending to be civilized, and the pretense was thin.

"Sterling tells me you're strong," Kai continued. "That you come from good bloodlines. That you're intelligent and capable." He tilted his head slightly. "But I need to know—are you willing to stand beside an Alpha who isn't your mate? Are you willing to wear the title of Luna without the love that usually comes with it?"

"Yes," I said immediately.

"You didn't even hesitate."

"Should I have?"

Kai laughed, a low, dangerous sound. "Most people would. Most people would ask questions, negotiate terms, try to protect themselves. But you just said yes. Why?"

I thought about Raven. About the way he looked at me with contempt. About the way he chose another woman over me without hesitation. About the way he hit me and told me I was a mistake.

"Because," I said quietly, "staying where I'm not wanted is not an option. And becoming someone powerful is better than becoming someone broken."

Kai studied me for a long moment. Then he extended his hand. "We have a deal then?"

I took his hand. His grip was firm, almost crushing, but I matched his pressure. "We have a deal."

"Excellent." He released my hand and turned back to Sterling. "I'll have the contract drawn up. We leave for the Nightshade territory at dawn."

"So soon?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

"Is there a reason to wait?" Kai raised an eyebrow. "Do you have something keeping you in the Capital?"

"No," I admitted. "But I need to—"

"Gather your things. I understand. Sterling will provide you with anything you need. The Nightshade Pack has everything else." Kai moved toward the door, then paused. "One more thing, Luna. When we marry, you become mine. That means your loyalty belongs to me, your time belongs to me, and your body belongs to me. Do you understand?"

My mouth went dry. "What do you mean, my body belongs to you?"

"I mean that in the eyes of the pack, we will be married. That includes a mating ceremony. That includes sharing a bed." His dark eyes glinted with something I couldn't quite name. "Though I should warn you—I don't do love or tenderness. If you're looking for romance, you came to the wrong Alpha."

"I'm not," I said, though my voice wavered slightly. "I already had romance with Raven. It was a lie. I prefer honesty."

"Good." A smile played at his lips again. "Because I'm very honest, Luna. I will never lie to you. I will never pretend to love you. And I will never make you promises I can't keep. But I will protect you. I will make sure that no one—not your ex-husband, not anyone—ever hurts you again."

There was something in the way he said it that made me believe him. This Alpha, dangerous as he was, would keep his word. And somehow, that felt like enough.

**As I left the Capital hours later, sitting in the back of Kai's luxury car as it sped toward the Nightshade territory, I realized I had just made a deal with the devil. But the devil, at least, was honest about what he was. And right now, that was more than I could say for the man I used to call my mate.**